Hi everyone, I hope someone out there can help me. We have a number of Pied Currawongs who visit our yard daily. In the last 2-3 weeks they have all started to have bald patches begin on their heads. These seem to get larger as the days go by. The currawongs plumage is also getting shabbier. I don't know if it is from stress, heat or even beak and feather disease. We are located in NW NSW where we are having very hot days (42 degrees) but I leave out plenty of water in the shade.
Any knowledge would be appreciated. Thanks :)
Beak and feather disease, to my understanding, is unique to parrots!
I am wondering if these birds are moulting or if they have mites? Or, it could be a dietary deficiency... perhaps calcium deficiency.
Sad for the poor things.
Happy Birding!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/138588528@N02/
Thanks for your reply Wollemi. I did do some research on BFD and realised I was barking up the wrong tree (silly me!!) I hadn't consider the other suggestions you gave. I will keep watch on my feathery friends and hopefully they will come good.
Thanks again, Deb
That's certainly some bald patch and yes the plumage doesn't look healthy. I have no idea myself what it could be, but I have just raised a similar concern under the forum heading "Bird Rescue/rehabiliation" see thread on King Parrot. It its mites, and I hope it isn't, I have read that they concentrate around the head, eyes, beak and vent.
Looks like poor Currawong has a severe louse/mite/flea infestation, or maybe a bird variant of scabies? Never seen that before with the Currawong population around here...